Mt. Abram to host “Mt. Abram Ascent”

Mt. Abram will host the ‘Mt. Abram Ascent’ Sept. 6 as part of the New England Trail Run Series.

The four-mile climb up and over the summit will take place on ski and single track hiking trails, according to the event website. Runners will gain more than 1,000 feet of elevation. The competition is described as designed for intermediate and expert athletes only, but all ages are welcome. “Like all Maine hiking trails, you should expect uneven surfaces with roots and rocks directly in parts of the footpath,” according to the description.

The ascent is part of the 2014 New England Trail Run Series, which is organized by Baxter Outdoors, a new outdoor adventure arm of the Baxter Brewing Co. of Lewiston. Other race locations in the series include Grand Lake Stream (Aug. 2); The Forks (Oct. 4); and Lost Valley (Oct. 19).

Baxter Outdoors President Adam Platz said Mt. Abram was chosen to provide variety of terrain in the series. “We have lakes venue (Grand Lake Stream), a river venue (The Forks), a foothills venue (Auburn) and a mountain venue (Mt. Abram). The Greenwood resort also provides a good location close to population centers but still in the mountains, as well as the right attitude – this is probably the most important thing. Dave [Scanlon], Maria [Holloway], and the rest of the Mt. Abram staff has been supportive of this event and the Baxter Outdoors mission as a whole from the start. As a family mountain, they are willing to experiment and try new things, a perfect fit for Baxter Outdoors.”

The entry fee for the Mt. Abram Ascent is $40. For the next 10 days $10 of each entry fee will be donated to the non-profit “Teens to Trails.” Teens To Trails is dedicated to increasing the opportunities for teens to experience the out-of-doors through a variety of programs that promote and support high school outing clubs, according to the website.